Ice cream can container



April 11, 1944. H. J. MESSIER ICE CREAM CAN CONTAINER Filed March 5 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 j omrel a f April 11, 1944. M l 2,346,446

ICE CREAM 04M CONTAINER Filed March 5,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet z Patented Apr. 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ICE CREAM CAN CONTAINER Homer J. Messier, New Bedford, Mass. Application March 5, 1942, Serial No. 433,421

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in an ice cream can container and is a further development of the container disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 399,635, filed June 25, 1941.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a container for ice cream cans in which large cans (i. e.,-of five gallon capacity) stand side by side, and if, as is the usual practice, small cans (i. e., of two and a half gallon capacity) are used, such cans are arranged in two columns of two cans each, such container including means by which the large cans or the upper small cans are held against rotating or shifting laterally while the ice cream is being removed, as will be hereinafter described in detail and claimed.

Ice cream parlors, restaurants, drug stores, and the like are supplied with ice creams usually in cans which are placed in refrigerated compartments and from which retail orders are taken, usually by spoon or scoop. Such cans are in most cases cylindrical, and while originally made of metal, they are now almost invariably made entirely or in large part of pasteboard or pulp. When the server removes an order of ice cream from a can, the can, if not firmly held, tends to rotate or shift and hence the server must use one hand to hold the can stationary. While clamping means have been provided, they are in most cases objectionable, particularly when the can is half empty, since the can tends to collapse if the clamping means surrounds the upper part or to tear if the clamping means positivelygrips the upper edge.

One feature of this invention is to provide clamping means which firmly hold the can until its entire contents is removed, such clamping means acting simultaneously upon two cans placed side by side to hold them in contact with each other. The clamping means, moreover, are adjustable for cans of various sizes.

The present type of soda counter includes a refrigerating compartment in which the ice cream cans are stored. Access to such cans is through relatively small openings so that the server finds it difficult to hold the can stationary while the ice cream is being removed.

Another feature of this invention resides in the fact that the container is made of separable sections so that it can be knocked down, introduced in sections into the refrigerating compartment, and then easily assembled for the reception of the ice cream cans. Furthermore, thecans are so supported in-the container that they can easily be shifted to bring any desired can nearest the serving opening and clamped in such position;

' to which portion A single embodiment of this invention will be set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the container selected to illustrate this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of such container;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container when knocked down;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a typical soda counter showing the container with cans within the refrigerating compartment of the counter;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the container shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the locking means showing the closed position in full lines and the opened position in dotted lines.

The container I0 includes a band ll supported upon a frame l2. The band consists of sections l5 and I6, and the frame It! is similarly arranged so that each section is independently supported, as by U-shaped strips l1 and a right angular strip l8. The ends of each strip l1 and the upper end of the strip l8 are rigidly secured to the inner faces of the sections, preferably though not essentiallyby welding or soldering. Each strip I8 is positioned at the longitudinal center of the container, and its horizontal portion crosses the horizontal portion of the 'strip I! at right angles and is suitably fixed thereto so that the sections are rigidly supported.

Each section is divided by a horizontal slot 2|! leading from one end into upper and lower arms 2| and 22. The sections l5 and I6 are joined by detachable connections which, in the illustrated container, comprise openings 23 in section |5 and tongues 24 carried by section IS. The openings and tongues are so shaped that sections can be rigidly but detachably interlocked. It will be noted that while the unslotted ends of the sections and the lower arms 22 are thus joined, additional means are provided by which the upper arms 2| are connected. The arm 2| of the section I6 is shorter than the arm 2| of the section l5, and its end is provided with a vertical slot 25 to which leads a horizontal depressed channel 26. Carried by the arm 2| of section I5 is a strap 21 secured at one end to a vertical key 28 pivotally supported in brackets 29 and having a U-shaped ofiset portion 30 between the brackets one end of the strap is pivotally secured. The strap 21 projects from the end of the arm 2| through a guiding aperture 3| and its free end passes through the channel 26 and slot 25. The free end of the strap 21 is adjustably secured to the arm 2| of the section It by a nut and bolt assembly 32 carried by that arm and a longitudinal slot 33 in the strap 21. Obviously after the strap 21 has been secured to the arm 2| of section IS, the ends of the arms 2| can be moved toward and from each other by oscillating the key. The sections of the frame l2 are preferably joined by means of set screws or nuts and bolts 34 passed through suitably located openings 35 in the free-ends of the strips 13-, which openings register when the sections are assembled as shown in Fig. 1.

The illustrated container l0, when assembled, is adapted to receive four two and a half gallon cans 40 arranged in two columns of two cans each. The lower cans are enclosed by the frame I2 and rest on the strips l8, being separated by the nuts and bolts 34. The upper cans which rest on the lower cans are surrounded by the band H The engagement of the strap 21 with the arm Zl of section I6 is adjusted so that when the key 28 is turned into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the upper cans are drawn into contact with each other and are so clamped by the upper arms 2].

It will be noted that the band II is in contact with at least half'the periphery of each upper can and that the cans are firmly held in contact with each other. Consequently any tendency of either upper can to rotate or shift when the ice cream is removed by the server is counteracted, and such condition continues to exist until the cans are emptied. It will also be noted that since the slot 20 in section It is longer than the slot 20 in section l5, the upper arm 2| of that section acts to shift the can in that section laterally into contact with the can in the other section.

That applicant's container, as mentioned above, can be installed in the refrigerating compartment is clearly shown in Fig. 4. The soda counter 50 is typical, having a refrigerating compartment to which access is had through the opening 52, normally closed by a cover 53 made up of front and rear sections hinged together. Obviously the opening. 52 istoo small to permit the, installation of a unitary container of suff cient size to receive two large or four small cans. Since the container I0. is-made in sections, this difiiculty isovercome. The part including section l5.is first placed in the compartment through theopeningSZ and moved forward from below the opening, then the other part, including section l6, 'is'.inserted and the two parts are connectedas described above, which can be done easily. The four cans shown in Fig. 4 are then placed in the container through the opening and thekey 28turned to lock the upper cans in place.

According to the usual practice the ice cream in both cans of one column is of the same flavor and the ice creamin both cans of the other column is of another flavor, the cans containing the more popular flavor forming the back column, i. e., that at the right in Fig. 4. By lifting either section of the cover, access is had to the cans. After the upper can in the back column is empty, the key 28is turned to release the cans. The empty can islifted out and the full can below it is then lifted out and replaced by the empty can. The full can is then returned to the container on top of the empty can and the key 28 turned to lock'the cans in place. When, however,-the upper can in; the forwardcolumn is empty. it is first necessary, after thecans are unlocked, to remove the upper can of the back column before the cans of the forward column can be reversed. If two large cans are placed in the container, it is obvious that if the rear can is empty, it can be replaced directly, but that to replace the forward can when empty, the rear can must first be removed.

While one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that other embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two columns of two cans each, said container comprising a. frame which encloses the lower cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions of said frame for enclosing the upper cans, said band and frame being made in sections, each section adapted to contain one column of cans, means for detachably joining the adjacent ends of said band. and frame sections to assemble the container, and means for releasably locking one of said adjacent ends of the band sections in a predetermined adjusted position.

2. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two-columns of two cans each, said container comprising, a frame which encloses the lower cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions of said frame for enclosing the upper cans, said band. and frame each comprising two detachably joined sections, one end of each band section beinghorizontally slotted adjacent each other to. provide. upper clamping arms, and means carried. by said arms by which the ends of the armsare moved toward or from each other into and out of can clamping position.

3. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two columns of two cans each, said container comprising a frame which encloses the lower cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions of said frame for enclosing the upper cans, said band and frame each. comprising two detachably joined sections, one end, of each band section being horizontally slotted adjacent each other to provide upper clamping arms, and means carried by. said arms by which the ends of the arms are moved toward or. from each other into and out of can clamping position, said meanscomprising a key pivotally mounted upon one arm near the end thereof and having U-shap'ediofiset portion, a strap pivotallysecuredat one end to'the offset portion of said key,;and.means for attaching the other end of v the strapgto the other arm near the end thereof.

4. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two columns of two cans each, said container comprising aframe which encloses the lower'cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions'of-said frame for en closing the upper cans, said band and frame each comprising two detachably. joined sections, one end of each band section being horizontally. slotted adjacent each other to provide upper clampingarms, and means carriedzby, said arms by which the ends of the arms aremoved toward or from each other into' and out of can clamping position, said means comprising a vertical key pivotally mountedfupon the inner face of' one arm near the end thereof and having-a U-shaped ofiset portioma strap pivotallysecured at one end totheoffset. portion. of saidkey. and means for adjustably attaching the other end of the strap to the inner face of the other arm near the end thereof.

5. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two columns of two cans each, said container comprising a frame which encloses the lower cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions of said frame for enclosing the upper cans, said band and frame each comprising two detachably joined sections, one end of each band section being horizontally slotted adjacent each other to provide upper clamping arms, and means carried by said arms by which the ends of the arms are moved toward or from each other into and out of can clamping position, said means comprising a vertical key pivotally mounted upon the inner face of one arm near the end thereof and having a U-shaped ofiset portion, a strap pivotally secured at one end to the offset portion of said key, and means for adjustably attaching the other end of the strap to the inner face of the other arm near the end thereof, said attaching means comprising a nut and bolt assembly carried by the arm and a horizontally extending slot in said strap.

6. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans placed one upon the other, said container comprising a frame for enclosing the lower can, a flexible band secured to the upper end of said frame for enclosing the upper can, said frame and band being formed in sections having free end portions provided with means detachably joining the adjacent end portions so as to maintain the respective sections in assembled relationship, one pair of free end portions of said band being slotted horizontally to provide a pair of clamping arms, and means carried by said arms constructed and arranged so that the ends of said arms may be moved toward and away from each other into and out of can-clamping position.

7. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans placed one upon the other, said container comprising a frame for enclosing the lower can, a flexible band secured to the upper end of said end to said locking means, and means for removably attaching the other end of said strap to the other arm, said locking means being pivotally mounted and said strap being caused by the movement of said locking means to move the ends of the arms toward and away from each other into and out of can-clamping position.

8. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two columns of two cans each, said container comprising a frame which encloses the lower cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions of said frame for enclosing the upper cans, said frame and band being formed in sections with free end portions having means detachably joining the adjacent end portions so as to maintain the sections in assembled relationship, and releasable locking means carried by one pair of free end portions of said band for adjustably clamping the upper cans against rotation.

9. A container adapted to receive ice cream cans arranged in two columns of two cans each, said container comprising a frame which encloses the lower cans, a flexible band secured to the upper end portions of said frame for enclosing 85 the upper cans, said frame and band being formed in sections with free end portions having means detachably joining the adjacent end portions so as to maintain the sections in assembled relationship, one pair of free end por- 40 tions of said band being slotted horizontally to provide a pair of can-clamping arms, and means carried by said arms by which the ends of said arms are moved toward and away from each other into and out of can-clamping position.

HOMER J. MESSIER. 

